Christmas time is here again – Should we celebrate or cerebrate?

Surely nobody still imagines that the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ child who was born in Bethlehem (not in his home village because of some political shenanigans), occurred anywhere close to the 25th December. Christmas celebrations evolved from pagan festivals to do with the solstices. Of course it does not matter! It is the spirit of the festival that matters! But what was the meaning of the incarnation of this child, a birth that was heralded by no less than a new star in the heavens?

More than one child has thought that the Christ was a relentless Little Drummer Boy: if shopping mall soundtracks are one’s reference, it is not surprising. “Pa-ram-pa-pa-pam!” (Whether Boney M’s disco rendition of Silent Night creates universal goodwill or a shopping frenzy is a moot point) Or that that funny guy in a red polyester suit and cotton wool beard comes from Bethlehem. (By the way, it is decidedly not all right for little children to be expected to sit on his lap!) Or that the veritable explosion of reindeer and fake snow is typical in the Holy Land. (Which, let’s face it, is in utter turmoil with violence and lack of religious tolerance ruling the day). Or that the Three Wise Men from the east looked rather disappointed at the ignominious setting. (They were, after all kings and scholars and now had to re-think all their previous insights)

Symbols

Let’s not get caught up in factual matters of chronology and geography. Let us remember what the Christ child symbolises:

Unconditional Love!

One can be forgiven for thinking He came in vain. Never has the world been less at peace as we approach the season of Goodwill and Universal Harmony. Hostilities flourish whichever way one turns: Racial strife in the United States of America, brutality towards women from East to west and North to South, oppression in Hong Kong, wholesale murder justified on religious grounds from Africa to Iraq, conflict in Egypt and destruction in Aleppo. The international organisation Genocide Watch has placed South Africa at stage 6 of white genocide, and claim that a coordinated campaign to exterminate whites is afoot, as indicated by the cruelty of the farm attacks, and the ethnic identification of the target group and normalization of hatred as institutionalised by the leaders in power: At the ANC 100th anniversary President Zuma sang “Dubula iBhuni” – Shoot the Boer. His trade mark song, “Umchini Wam” advocates violence.

Unemployment and lack of service delivery means a Christmas without clean water – never mind a fancy roast and presents wrapped and beribboned. According to Rape.co.za it is estimated that a woman born in South Africa has more chance of being raped that learning to read.

So much for Madiba’s dream of a non-racial/ non-discriminatory society! So much for our constitution!

And so much for the Christmas Spirit!

Being caught without Insurance cover will surely dampen your spirit!

Author: Suenel Bruwer Holloway

Author: Suenel Bruwer Holloway is a playwright, poet, speechwriter, translator, editor as well as guest writer. She specializes in satirical social commentary, the arts, education, book reviews and three course picnics. She comes from a long line of hat wearers.

Suenel is available for guest posts and can be contacted at the e-mail address provided.